PM Modi with France’s Macron.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday shared a car ride with French President Emmanuel Macron as the two leaders travelled to the India-France Innovation Forum after holding bilateral and delegation-level talks in Mumbai.Macron posted a picture of the two leaders in the car with the caption “Jai Ho”.PM Modi said that after talks and press statements at Lok Bhavan, they were heading to further engagements, including the Innovation Forum.

During the visit, India and France elevated their ties to a ‘special global strategic partnership’, pledging to expand cooperation in defence, trade and critical minerals. Both leaders described the relationship as a ‘force for global stability’ amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.Following the talks, the leaders also virtually inaugurated an assembly line in Karnataka’s Vemagal to manufacture H125 helicopters by Airbus, a move expected to strengthen India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.The two sides signed 21 agreements and documents aimed at expanding collaboration across sectors such as critical minerals, defence, high technology, renewable energy and healthcare.Key agreements included a defence cooperation pact and a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Ltd and Safran to manufacture Hammer missiles in India. Another agreement provides for reciprocal deployment of officers between the Indian Army and the French Land Forces.PM Modi hosted Macron for the talks hours after the French president arrived in Mumbai for a three-day India visit. “The world is going through a period of uncertainty. In such an environment, the India-France partnership is a force for global stability. We are combining France’s expertise and India’s scale,” PM Modi said in his media statement.He described France as one of India’s oldest strategic partners and said both sides have infused their relationship with ‘unprecedented depth and energy’. “Based on this trust and shared vision, today we are establishing our relationship as a ‘special global strategic partnership’,” PM Modi said, adding that the partnership supports both global stability and progress.Referring to the helicopter project, PM Modi said the assembly line reflects deep mutual trust. He noted that the helicopter can operate at extreme altitudes, including near Mount Everest, and will be exported globally. “In other words, the India-France partnership knows no boundaries; it can reach from deep oceans to the tallest mountain,” he added.

As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 reaches its critical group stage crescendo, South Africa aim to maintain their flawless streak, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) looks to pull off the ultimate heist. They will clash at the iconic Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

South Africa enter this fixture as the undisputed leaders of Group D. Following a clinical 7-wicket demolition of New Zealand and a nerve-shredding double Super Over win against Afghanistan, Aiden Markram’s men are playing with a clarity and conviction that has eluded them in past tournaments. A win tomorrow mathematically guarantees them a spot in the Super 8s.

UAE, meanwhile, has been the giant-killer in waiting. Currently sitting third in the group with 2 points, they survived a scare against Canada and put up a spirited fight against the Kiwis. For Muhammad Waseem and his squad, this is more than just a match; it’s a rare opportunity to upstage a top-tier nation on the world’s biggest stage.

SA vs UAE, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 18 (Wednesday); 11:00 am IST / 5:30 am GMT
• Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

SA vs UAE, Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

Matches played: 0 | South Africa won: 0 | UAE won: 0

Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report

For this clash, the surface at Arun Jaitley Stadium is likely to behave like a classic Delhi track, slow, gripping, and increasingly helpful for spinners as the game wears on. Early in the Powerplay, the pitch should appear reasonably flat, allowing batters to play their strokes with confidence. However, once the new ball softens, the surface is expected to hold up and stay a touch low, making timing far more challenging. Spin is set to play a decisive role through the middle overs, continuing a tournament pattern where slow bowlers have claimed a significant share of the wickets. Since this is a morning fixture, dew will not come into play — unlike night matches where chasing sides often benefit. Under these conditions, a total in the 155–165 range could prove more than competitive.

Squads

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Aryansh Sharma, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, Junaid Siddique, Mayank Kumar, Muhammad Arfan, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Zohaib, Rohid Khan, Sohaib Khan, Simranjeet Singh.

Also READ: Fans go wild as Pathum Nissanka smashes century to take Sri Lanka into the Super 8 with a win over Australia

SA vs UAE, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• South Africa wins the toss and bats first
• South Africa powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
• South Africa total score: 195-205

Case 2:

• UAE wins the toss and bats first
• UAE powerplay score: 35-45 (6 overs)
• UAE total score: 165-175

Match result: Afghanistan to win the contest.

Also WATCH: Pathum Nissanka pulls off a screamer to dismiss Glenn Maxwell in AUS vs SL T20 World Cup 2026 game

Pakistan cricket team (AP/PTI)

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign has reached a critical juncture. A win against Namibia in their final league fixture on Wednesday is non-negotiable if Salman Agha’s men are to keep their Super 8 hopes alive. Anything less, and their tournament ends prematurely.The pressure has mounted quickly. After bold claims that this was a stronger outfit than the one that faltered against India in the Asia Cup, Pakistan suffered a familiar 61-run defeat on Sunday. While their clashes with India in the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups were tight, they still fell short. Since the Asia Cup, India have now registered four comfortable wins on the trot, reinforcing Pakistan’s struggles in marquee encounters.

Scrutiny has intensified around senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Shaheen failed to control the game in the PowerPlay or at the death, returning figures of 1 for 31 in two overs. Babar’s issues against spin continue to surface — his strike-rate against spin since returning to the T20I side stands at 101.70 — raising questions about balance and intent in the middle order.Selection dilemmas loom. Salman Mirza and Fakhar Zaman are in contention should the management opt for changes. Pakistan’s heavy reliance on spin — 13, 16 and 18 overs across three games — also reflects a side still searching for the right combination.Namibia, though eliminated, are not without motivation. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon as co-hosts, they are keen to gather momentum. For Pakistan, though, the equation is simple: win or go home.In the other fixture, India face the Netherlands in the night game. Having already secured qualification for the Super 8s with three wins from three matches, India will view this contest as an opportunity to fine-tune combinations and tick a few remaining boxes.Abhishek Sharma is yet to get going in this T20 World Cup, and the team management will be keen for their No. 1 batter to spend valuable time at the crease ahead of the knockout stage. Getting runs under his belt could prove crucial in the business end of the tournament.There could also be changes in the bowling department. Kuldeep Yadav might make way for Arshdeep Singh, who was included as an extra spinner against Pakistan. With qualification already secured, India may use this match to test their bench strength and settle on the most balanced XI for the Super 8s.

Today T20 World Cup matches – Tuesday, 18 February

Sidharth Malhotra’s father, Sunil Malhotra, has passed away. The last rites were completed in Delhi in the presence of close family members.The actor, along with his wife Kiara Advani, rushed to the capital as soon as he received the news to attend the funeral and stand by his loved ones during this difficult time. According to Hindustan Times, those close to the family confirmed that while the ceremonies have concluded, the couple will continue to stay in Delhi for a few days.Sunil Malhotra, a former Merchant Navy captain, was a towering influence in Sidharth’s life. The actor has often spoken about the deep respect and admiration he held for his father, once calling him his “favourite hero” and a constant source of inspiration. Those close to the family say the loss has left Sidharth deeply affected.

When Sidharth spoke about his father’s health and his mother’s sacrifices

In March last year, Sidharth had candidly spoken about his father’s prolonged health struggles during a conversation with Lilly Singh. He had revealed that Sunil Malhotra had been unwell for some time and admitted to feeling ashamed about not fully acknowledging his mother Rimma Malhotra’s sacrifices.“My father’s not been healthy for a while, and me being scared or angry at times, tend to be a little more harsh on my mother because she’s the one who’s taking care of the meds. My father’s not keeping well to do that and within that I realized… we got up one morning and just having coffee and tea in Delhi and she started speaking about 20 years back… what she had to deal with when we were much younger or when I wasn’t there or when I was trying to make my own life,” he had shared.

He had further added, “She would hide that information from us as to you know what my father’s going through and uh and I felt uh I felt slightly ashamed of the fact that I didn’t really give her that credit for the years building up to my father’s health… During that period, my mother had made so many sacrifices that I wasn’t aware of, and I had to deal with her with far more sensitivity and love.” Despite being a public figure, Sidharth has maintained privacy around the personal tragedy, choosing to grieve quietly with his family. Over the years, he has credited his parents for keeping him grounded and rooted despite the fame and pressures of the film industry.On the occasion of Father’s Day last year, Sid wished his dad, calling him his ‘favourite hero’.“Happy Father’s Day, Dad! You have been my favourite hero since childhood and will always be! From admiring your style, fitness, to your sense of humour, you truly are the best I know! – Your Biggest Fan #MyDadMyCaptain #HappyFathersDay,” he wished his father.Also See: Sidharth Malhotra mourns his father Sunil Malhotra’s loss: ‘You left us peacefully in your sleep, but the space you leave behind is immeasurable’

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The relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh is hinted to take a new turn after some significant comments made by the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, who is also an interior minister of the nation.

In a fresh statement, Naqvi claimed that only because of the President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, they withdrew their boycott of the India match stance. Mohsin Naqvi called Dissanayake the “Real Hero.”

PCB decided to boycott India vs Pakistan match

Through an official statement on social media platforms, the Government of Pakistan informed that they would not take the field on February 15 to play against India. The official statement was believed to be heavily influenced by Naqvi.

Your daily dose of cricket!

The PCB chief held a meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the situation after the snubbing of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup 2026.

Why Pakistan took the boycott stance, going against ICC?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) ejected the Bangladesh cricket team from the flagship tournament as they refused to travel to India for their 2026 T20 World Cup group matches, citing ‘safety and security’ concerns.

The council gave an ultimatum to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to rethink their decision, but the BCB officials remained strong in their position only to be thrown out of the tournament.

As soon as the ICC dismissed Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan came into the scenario, creating a fresh tension before the beginning of the competition. Pakistan stated that they would participate in the tournament but would not play against India.

To ease the matter, ICC held a meeting with PCB in the presence of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Malaysian cricket representatives. The meeting proved fruitful. After the discussions, Pakistan took a U-turn and went to play the February 15th match with India in Colombo.

A couple of days later, after the India vs Pakistan match, Mohsin Naqvi revealed that only because of a phone call from the Sri Lankan president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, they reversed their boycott call.

Mohsin Naqvi called Sri Lanka President the real hero

“You were the actual hero because of you 2 billion people were entertained. It’s only because of you we played the match. As soon as the Prime Minister received the call, he called me up and said there is no more issue, and the President has called me, and we have to play the match,” Mohsin Naqvi said, thanking the Sri Lankan President.

According to media reports, Dissanayake was concerned about the financial losses if the India vs Pakistan game was cancelled. Additionally, in the recent past, Sri Lanka travelled to Pakistan to play matches in an effort to repolish their relation with Pakistan.

Read More: Mohsin Naqvi in BIG trouble as ‘boycott circus’ blamed for loss vs India – Pakistan govt action incoming?